Jonna Carter: Vetted

There’s been a lot of interesting dog news of late and/or news that pertains to my dogs. A study was published determining that a common opioid, Tramadol, is not as effective for easing pain as had been believed. I was way ahead of these folks, having come to the same conclusion some time ago. Though I don’t take opioids, I’m surprisingly familiar with this particular Class IV controlled substance, as Tramadol seems to be many veterinarians’ pain reliever/sedative of choice.

I have a stockpile of Tramadol. Why, you ask, would I be amassing an opioid? You needn’t report me to the authorities as my supply has been legitimately obtained. The bulk of my stash was prescribed by veterinarians, but I was once prescribed Tramadol for post-surgical pain relief. Not by a veterinarian. (It was rotator cuff surgery and not a spaying. I was repaired, but not “fixed.”) I knew I wouldn’t take the Tramadol since I’d sooner bite down on a bullet, but I filled the prescription in anticipation of the next thunderstorm.